Every time that a spike enters a tree, it creates an open wound which then allows bacteria, infections, and bugs into the tree - that is right, just as a cut or puncture on your skin allows bacteria into your blood, an open wound on a tree acts in the same way! Once a tree is spiked, there is a high potential for fungus and bacteria to enter the tree and start to cause a decline in the overall health of the tree. The fresh wound acts as a dinner bell for insects as they can smell the scent of the sap. Once the smell is in the air, they can find the tree more easily and set up the all-you-can-eat buffet.

The only acceptable time for someone to spike a tree is if the tree is going to be removed. It does make the job of pruning/trimming a tree a bit more challenging but it is what is best for the life and health of the tree.

At Duffey Tree Care, we do not spike trees - even palm trees. If a tree is too tall to climb, we will use appropriate methods and equipment (ie: ladder [on smaller palms] or lift or crane [on larger palms]) to safely access the tree canopy and do what we need to do!